-Research Paper-Capital Punishment

Capital Punishment

Capital punishment: The infliction of the death penalty on persons convicted of a crime. As ideas about what crimes should be punishable by death have differed, so have the methods of inflicting this penalty. The criminal has been hanged, burned, boiled in oil, thrown to wild beasts, flayed alive, drowned, crushed, crucified, stoned, impaled, strangled, torn apart, beheaded, smothered, disemboweled, shot, gassed, or electrocuted (Encyclopedia).

Abolition of capital punishment has increased over the last fifty years in worldwide. Fifty-four countries have completely abolished capital punishment, and fifteen nations have abolished it for all except war crimes. Ninety-seven have not carried out any executions for ten years. About two countries abolish capital punishment per year in the world. The United States, however, still practices capital punishment (Mitchell, 2001). Thirty-eight states still allow capital punishment. Twelve states and the District of Columbia have abolished it (State News Service).

Most people agree with the existence of capital punishment, but some people are vehemently against it. The controversy over the death penalty has been ongoing. Capital punishment is in decline now days. Many people might think that there should be no capital punishment, but capital punishment is a just consequence for people who kill others. Even though the methods used in capital punishment seem inhumane, capital punishment should exist in order to control crimes in nations.

In 1608, the first documented execution of an American was recorded. American’s early colonial laws were borrowed from British laws. Under the British law, more than 50 crimes such as vagrancy, heresy, witchcraft, rape, murder, and treason were selected as capital offenses. The US law on capital punishment has changed in some different ways in different states in US. Each states has own law on capital punishment. From 1977 to 1993, the number of prisoners under sentence of death has increased. In 1994, the number reached to 2800 and it was never more than at any time in US history. 250 prisoners are added to sentence of death each year (Mitchell, 2001). For instance, Virginia has executed 94 prisoners since capital punishment was reinstated in 1976. Texas has executed 350 prisoners (Nuckols). More than 70% of Americans are in favor of having some form of capital punishment. Another reason why American is in favor is because of the financial cost of the capital punishment. They believe that capital punishment is cheaper to execute prisoners than to imprison prisoners for the remainder of their natural life in society (Mitchell, 2001).

However, there are myriad reasons why capital punishment has become a huge issue in United States. First familiar opinion is presented by the federal judge Alex Kozinski, a prominent advocate of the death penalty. He states, “I think there’s some idea in this country that if people are evil enough you’re insulting the memory of the victims if you let them live.” An Americans characteristic or culture is that they want to feel and show that they can control evil things (Lifton, 2000). Herbert H. Haines also states about American’s character as a curse on US. He states, “the most important [reason why US cares more about capital punishment than other countries] may be America’s special curse—levels of violent crime so high as to be unique in the industrialized world.” American has been angry and fearful about the crime situation in their country, and capital punishment has become a strong symbol of these situations (Haines, 1996).

There are four common methods of capital punishment. First, hanging was the first method that America used for long years. When the trapdoor opens, the prisoner dropped and they die quickly. It often does not go well. If the drop may be too short, it causes the prisoner dies slowly because of the slow strangulation, or if the drop is too long, the prisoner faces ending in decapitation (Lifton, 2000). A new method of execution was made because people want to make capital punishment even more humane. The new method is called electrocution. In the late 19th century, Thomas Edison explored new uses for electricity. He brought the idea of using electricity to the prison to avoid prisoner escapes from the jail. However, electrocution was thought to be “neater, more scientific, and compassionate.” In the standard procedure of the electrocution, 2,300 volts shocks the prisoner for eight seconds, and then about one third of 2,300 volts shocks the prisoner for another twenty-two seconds. And the procedure ends with five seconds of another 2,300 volts. A veteran witness explained that while it goes through, the smell of burning fills the room and the smell is really bad. Most people thought electrocution was a more humane form of execution than hanging. Only a few states were still using hanging (Lifton, 2000).

In 1924, Major D. A. Turner of the U.S. Army Medical Corps invented another method, gas chamber. Turner thought execution by gas would be even more humane than electrocution. In this execution, in a steel room, the prisoner is tied onto a chair and poisonous gas is filled into the room. Criminal breaths the gas, and after few minutes, the criminal dies. In 1933, California used this method for execution and became the first state used the gas chamber execution (Lifton, 2000).

Later in 1977, another new execution was invented. The name of new execution is lethal injection. During the lethal injection, a doctor gives a shot which has two or three poisonous chemicals in it. First, the chemicals paralyze the criminal’s body, and then few minutes later, the criminal’s heart beating stops and dies. It is a quicker and very easier than hanging, electrocution, or the gas chamber. Texas State began using lethal injection in 1977, and many other states followed to use it. By the year 2000, most states and also many other foreign countries used only lethal injection for executions (Death Penalty Teacher’s Edition.com, Lifton 2000).

Even though the methods of execution developed have become more humane than before, there are still controversies over the capital punishment. Supporters believe that capital punishment was the way to stop the violence. A majority of people in United States believe that the death penalty is the right punishment for the serious crimes such as murder. Capital punishment supporters think “death is fit punishment for the worst crime” (Steffen 1998). Supporters do not see the death penalty as morally wrong. Most supporters argue that murder is cruel and inhumane just like the opinion of opponents’ belief over the capital punishment. Opponents’ major idea is that capital punishment is inhumane and cruel. However, supporters believe that to protect the community, they have to get rid of dangerous criminals by using the capital punishment (Death Penalty Information Center. com, Steffen, 1998).

As supporters exist, there are also opponents of capital punishment. Opponents believe that the capital punishment is cruel and unusual punishment. Their idea comes from the history of United States. For example, slavery and torture was normal in history, but now, it has changed. People consider slavery and torture as cruel and inhumane. Also, governments abolished slavery. However, opponents think that same things should go for the capital punishment. Opponents believe that any kind of killing is wrong, but they do not find differences between capital punishment and killing people. They believe that no one should not take other’s life (Pro-Death Penalty.com, Steffen, 1998).

There is one more major argument against the capital punishment. People think there might be a chance that an innocent person will be executed. In order to avoid this, there are “appeals for the accused to reveal” their innocence (Steffen, 1998). But because human beings judge criminal on justice system, sometimes they make mistakes. A real murderer gets free and an innocent man may get executed. This happens rarely. Steffen explains that, “Now the government is trying hard to search the evidence and find who the criminal really is. Even though there are appeals for the person who is accused of murder, some people think they should take away capital punishment.” Opponents say that methods are one of the reasons why they want to abolish the capital punishment. Electrocution, gas chamber, hanging, or any kinds of methods are too cruel to kill a person. Because of the methods are too cruel, government brought up the new execution, the lethal injection. In this way, a person can die very easy, quickly, and painlessly. But still some people think lethal injection is also cruel. The controversy over the death penalty seems “never-ending” (Death Penalty Information Center. com, Steffen, 1998).

From the beginning there have been arguments over capital punishment. Most of people think that capital punishment is normal and necessary. If capital punishment did not exist, more violent crimes would be committed. Capital punishment is the way to threat and stop people to commit serious crime. As a conclusion, there should be capital punishment in order to deter crime even though the methods of capital punishment are inhumane. If governments take away capital punishment, more people will commit violent crimes. Also, a person who has already committed a crime will be free and the United States become more and more dangerous. Capital punishment should exist in the nation to protect people.

Holloween

I did not do anything in Halloween day. One thing that I did is visiting Sho’s room for Yuuka, Chie, and someone’s birthday party. I think everyone had really fun in there. There were about 30 people. It was crazy. I really do not have anything to talk except this one but I do not want to talk about this party, because I do not want to remember this party. I do not mean that I hate this party; I just do not want to think back ^^. Anyway, I really had great time this weekend. I and my friends had party again on Friday. It was awesome. Especially, I really liked Japanese food that my friends made for us. It is called Sukiyaki. It was not the first time I tried, but this one was the most taste food that I had since I came back to US ^^. If I have a chance, I really want to have one more time.

American Men Don't Cry

In “American Men Don’t Cry,” the author explains why American men do not cry, and presents claims as to why should cry. American men do not cry because in American culture crying is not considered mannish to do. Crying is seen as a man being childish, weak, and dependent. No American man wants to be identified as a weak man; they train themselves no to cry in any situation. They are trained to repress their desire to cry until they finally are unable to cry. However, the author does not agree with crying culture in America. He thinks that men should cry because crying is a natural function of the human organism. The author said that crying is designed to restore one’s disequilibrated emotion to “a state of equilibrium.” It is important for men to cry when they really ought to cry or when they really need to cry. It is necessary for one’s health.
In my country, South Korea, like in America, men should not cry in any situation. I believe that most countries do not “allow” men to cry. Men’s crying is also considered as a weakness in Korean culture. It is also considered as shameful for men to do. In my culture, we say men can cry only three times in their lives: when they are born, when their parents died, and when their babies are born. They should not cry for any other reason except these. For example, I have never seen any men crying in my whole life except in my youth when I was too young to remember. Someone might have cried, but I have never seen it. In my country, if men really want to cry, we say “Cry only in your mind. Don’t show it. Don’t make any sounds.”
Unlike the author, I agree that men should not cry. I think this way because I might be trained in my culture, but I still think that men should not cry. It is unnecessary for one’s health. I do not think that repressing the desire to cry negatively affects health. I believe that men’s not crying is also a natural function of human organism. I, as a man, have the physical capability to cry, but I do not want to show anyone. I cry in my mind when I really want to cry. Men should not cry.

Where am I?? -again-

There were so many people around me. They looked like they were really nervous. Some of them were smiling, and some of them were afraid of something. I sat on a chair, which might be comfortable or not, and people passed by me. One of them came to me and asked me to move a little bit so he could sit next to me. I really hated this guy’s attitude. I just decided to ignore him, because I had to wait and sit with him. Some beautiful lady came to me and asked me what I wanted to eat. I thought that she was trying to give me something to eat. I really was thankful to this woman because I was so hungry. I felt like I was waiting for a long time, and I looked outside. It was so beautiful. It looked just like the Lego. I stood up and I felt dizzy, because I had been sitting on the chair for a long time. I went to the bathroom, but it was very tiny. The bathroom was so tiny, that only one person could go in. However, I felt so bored. I really wanted to get out of the place.

We Are One

The World Cup is the biggest soccer tournament in the world, which is held every four years just like the Olympics. In 2002, Korea and Japan were the host countries of the FIFA World Cup. During the 2002 Korea/Japan World Cup, thirty two countries came to Korea and Japan. They gathered and dreamed to be a champion. Korea was one of them. Korean national team dreamed to be a champion, and they almost made it. I remember this experience which really changed my view of my people and country, and made me to have pride in my country, Korea.
During the 2002 World Cup, thirty two countries spread out into eight groups, and played each other in a league system. Only two nations in each group could advance to the final tournament. Before the World Cup, honestly, Korea was not a strong team. We were expected to be one of the weakest teams of the 32 qualifying teams. At that time, every Korean hoped our national team might win just one game because the Korean national soccer team never had won even one game in their World Cup history. However, our expectation was wrong. The Korean national team went all the way up to the semi-finals. This was not only an experience which changed me, but also Koreans’ passion.
During the World Cup, I met many foreigners in Korea. I met a British man, and we had a conversation.
“I’ve never seen this before,” he said.
I said, “What are you talking about?”
“I’ve never seen supporters like Koreans,” he said.
During the World Cup, many other countries had made special mention about Korean soccer supporters. I went to a game which was Korea versus Germany. I went into the stadium, and it was like a red sea. Red water had flooded throughout the stadium. All people wore red shirts, which is the Korean team’s color. Also when the Korean national anthem was played right before the game started, a really huge Korean national flag, which was as big as half of the soccer field, was held up by the red supporters. They sang the anthem as loud and hard as they could. I still can not erase this picture from my mind.
Finally, the Korean national soccer team made it to the semi-final. Being a semi-finalist is really as competitive as taking third or fourth in the Olympic. Korea beat Portugal, Italy, and Spain. They are really strong teams in the world. They have better professional soccer league, and they have a lot of better players than Korea does. However, everyone believed that the Korean national soccer players not only worked hard, they also had great supporters. In a soccer game, 11 players can play on the field. I believe that there were 12 players on the field. We, the fans, were one of them.
Before I experienced this, I had doubts about Koreans’ ability to cooperate. I had not seen Koreans gather and show their excellence to other countries in anything because of Koreans’ bad characteristics of failing to cooperate with others or not wanting to get help from others. CNN reported that Korea was filled with passion and they should be proud of themselves. A lot of foreign news centers said the same thing, but one title that really appealed to me was “They are one.” From this experience, I learned what a real Korean is. Koreans are really cooperative and they love their country. Koreans are patriots. I felt a shamed that I thought of Koreans in bad ways, but now, I am so proud of myself as a Korean, and I really love my country.

?Mystery

There were so many people around me. They looked like they are really nervous. Some of them were smiling, and some of them were afraid of something. I sat on the chair which might be comfortable or not, and people passed by me. One of them came to me and asked me to move little bit so he could sit next to me. I really hated this guy’s attitude. I just decided to ignore him, because I had to wait and sat with him. Some beautiful lady came to me and asked me what I want to eat. I thought that she tried to give me something to eat. I really thanked to this woman, because I was so hungry. I felt like I was waiting for a long time, and I looked outside. It was so beautiful. There were so many things just like the Lego. I stood up and I felt dizzy, because I sat on the chair for a long time. I went to toilet, but it was so tiny. The toilet was so tiny, so only one person can go in. However, I felt so boring. I really wanted to get out of the place.

this weekend.

On Friday, I brought my high school Korean friends to my room and spend night together. They are Yee-yeon and Sang-hwa. Friday was my friend's (Sang-hwa) birthday. We ate dinner together and had a good time. I took Sang-hwa to Sho's room and we joined their party. My friend is still in high school. He really loved the party and college life. He told me that he really want to be college student as fast as he can. He really like it. I don't know what he exactly liked, but I bet college life is much fun than high school life. On Saturday, I went to downtown with my conversation group. They are Brittany, Sophie, Yuuka, Mika, Jasmin, Jim, and me. Jasmin and Jim had somethings to do, so they couldn't come, but it was okay. We had dinner in Thai restaurant, but I didn't like the food. It was okay at the beginnig, but it became too sweat to keep eating. We also watched movie called "Flightplan," and it was all right. It was good, but it is little bit hard to catch it. The meeting was good, and I hope, next time, we can all join together, and hang out. And today, I spend most of time in my room. I did my homeworks and study. This, posting something on my blog, is last homework that I'm doing. I think it's time to go to bed ^^.